AP

Deuteronomy 9:18-19   Then once again I fell prostrate before the LORD for forty days and forty nights; I ate no bread and drank no water, because of all the sin you had committed, doing what was evil in the LORD’s sight and so arousing his anger.  I feared the anger and wrath of the LORD, for he was angry enough with you to destroy you.  But again the LORD listened to me.

One of the most comforting things we learn from God’s Word is that he, and he alone, is absolutely sovereign over all that he has made, that he is all powerful and compassionate, and that he promises that “in all things [he] works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

As wonderful as this is, it does raise the question of the place of intercessory prayer in the scheme of things.  The apostle Paul helps us with this: just before he tells us that he knows it is true, he tells us: “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27).

So, in the light of this, we  are encouraged to pour out our hearts before God without reserve, and to entrust everything into his sovereign care.  In other words, earnest, heartfelt, even desperate, prayer is an integral part of the process God uses to carry out his Sovereign purposes!  On this basis Moses pleaded for mercy for the sinful, rebellious people, and “again the LORD listened to [him]”!

So I will take God at his Word and trust him to help me to follow Paul’s instructions more confidently,  viz. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7) and “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in [every] circumstance; for this [circumstance – however confusing it might seem to me] is God’s will for [me] in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16).

“Whate’er my God ordains is right, he never will deceive me; he leads me by the proper path – I know he will not leave me. I take, content, what he has sent, his hand can turn my griefs away, and patiently, I wait his day, … . Whate’er my God ordains is right, though now this cup, in drinking, may bitter seem to my faint heart I take it all, unshrinking; my God is true, each morn anew, sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart and pain and sorrow shall depart, …”  (Samuel Rodigast).

– Bruce Christian